Government / Politics

Hope VI Housing

Washington State Weighs Housing Benefit Districts

A proposed state bill would institutionalize a funding mechanism that could direct millions in new revenue to affordable housing development.

February 16, 2022 - The Urbanist

Construction Worker

Why 'Accidents' Are Not Inevitable

A new book argues that accidental deaths, from car crashes to industrial accidents, are a result of a 'rapacious' capitalist system that prioritizes profits over people.

February 16, 2022 - Streetsblog New York City

Metro Train Station

Lawmaker Proposes Permanent Environmental Review Exemptions for Transit Projects

A 2020 law that exempts transit, bike, and pedestrian projects from California's strict environmental review process could become permanent.

February 15, 2022 - SFBay

Pumping Gas

Time for a Federal Gas Tax Holiday?

Senate Democrats introduced legislation to lower gas prices by suspending the federal gas tax through the end of the year. General funds would be directed to the Highway Trust Fund to replace gas tax revenue.

February 15, 2022 - Fox Business

An overhead image of a large wooden building as it's being constructed.

Ballot Initiative Could Overturn California's Zoning Reforms

The "mother of all NIMBY initiatives" is seeking signatures to qualify for the statewide ballot in California.

February 15, 2022 - James Brasuell

Singapore

Does Rental Assistance Demonstration Privatize Public Housing?

How exactly does RAD work and why is there a raging debate over whether it’s putting tenants’ rights and housing affordability in peril?

February 15, 2022 - Shelterforce

An aerial view of New Jersey suburbs, with Manhattan and New York City in the distant background.

New York State Legislature Debates Single-Family Zoning

To boost the state's housing supply, some New York lawmakers want to eliminate local control over single-family zoning.

February 14, 2022 - City Limits

Arizona Suburb

Arizona Enters the Upzoning Fray

Arizona lawmakers have proposed a bill that would boost the state's affordable housing fund and increase density in some residential areas.

February 14, 2022 - azfamily.com

Florida Everglades

Everglades Restoration To Receive $1.1 Billion in Federal Funds

An 'unprecedented' investment of more than one billion dollars will go toward efforts to restore and conserve the fragile and troubled South Florida ecosystem.

February 14, 2022 - Inside Climate News

A statue of the Little Mermaid, overlooking the waterfront of Copenhagen, Denmark, is adorned with a mask during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Danish Paradox: High COVID Transmission Leads to Endemicity

The nation with the world's highest COVID infections per capita was the first in Europe to end almost all coronavirus restrictions. The decision comes with the declaration that as of Feb. 1, COVID is no longer a "socially critical disease" in Denmark

February 14, 2022 - The Atlantic

Freeway Interchange Construction

Infrastructure Funding Could Lead to Higher Carbon Emissions

Billions in federal infrastructure funding slated to go to states with few strings attached could fund roadway construction and widening projects that will raise greenhouse gas emissions and worsen climate change.

February 13, 2022 - The New York Times

Metro Bikeshare

L.A. Councilmember Proposes Criminalizing On-Street Bike Repairs

Councilmember Krekorian's proposal to criminalize bike repairs and sales on public right-of-way has been sharply criticized as a cynical move that will unfairly target the unhoused.

February 13, 2022 - Streetsblog Los Angeles

Masks for Public Health

CDC Not Yet On Board with Ending Masking Requirements

Blue states have joined red ones in ending masking orders as COVID cases plummet, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sticking to its guidance: where transmission is 'high' or 'substantial,' universal indoor masking is recommended.

February 13, 2022 - Reuters

Electric Vehicle Charging

Federal Government Pledges $5 Billion for Electric Car Charging

A $5 billion federal investment will contribute to state efforts to install electric vehicle charging stations along interstate highways and major corridors.

February 11, 2022 - The Washington Post

Boulder Colorado

Boulder's Eviction Prevention Program, One Year Later

A program created last year to assist tenants and prevent evictions has helped close to 400 households in its first year.

February 11, 2022 - City of Boulder

Eviction

Report Highlights Key Role of Cities in Stemming Evictions

The National League of Cities outlines strategies that city leaders can implement at the local level to prevent evictions and increase housing affordability.

February 11, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

A map showing the city of Hammond and surrounding cities in Louisiana and Florida.

Louisiana City Halts Multi-Family Housing Construction Due to Infrastructure Concerns

The Hammond City Council has paused multi-family development approvals while it studies ways to improve the city's infrastructure.

February 10, 2022 - The Daily Star

Highway Construction

Top Republicans Encourage Governors to Ignore FHWA Guidance

Senators McConnell and Capito reject the administration's efforts to steer federal funds to infrastructure projects that prioritize road maintenance and transit and pedestrian improvements over new road construction.

February 10, 2022 - Route Fifty

Rocky Mountains

The Kids Are Alright: Montana Youth Lead Climate Trial Effort

A group of teens is taking on the state of Montana, claiming that the state's continued dependence on fossil fuels infringes on their constitutional rights.

February 10, 2022 - NBC News

MacDougal Street

Urban Villages for the Proletariat

Compact, walkable urban villages benefit working families and organized labor by creating jobs, improving household affordability, reducing commute duration, improving economic opportunities, and creating cleaner, healthier communities.

February 10, 2022 - Todd Litman

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.